MISENHEIMER, NC – In a low scoring contest, the No. 11 Pfeiffer men’s lacrosse team (5-1) defeated visiting Lake Erie (0-3) by a final score of 6-4 at NE Lefko Field on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon. Each team recorded their lowest scoring total of the season, but the Falcons came out victorious thanks to 12 saves from Hayden Kirk and a strong defensive showing.

The Falcons only scored multiple goals in the fourth quarter, while Lake Erie was shut out in the first period. Pfeiffer took a 1-0 lead with 10 seconds left to play in the opening quarter when Elliot Gilbert made a great one-on-one move and beat the goalie.

Robert Hope gave Pfeiffer a 2-0 lead just 1:45 into the second period, but the Storm would answer. Macgregor Johnston and Robert Pelkey scored in succession to tie the game at 2 with 8:50 to play in the half. Defense ruled the rest of the half as neither team was able to convert.

Each team scored once in the third period; Pfeiffer’s coming from Matthew Michaeli and Lake Erie’s off the stick of Austin Bishop, to set up the crucial fourth period.

Pfeiffer was able to take advantage of two Lake Erie penalties and converted with the man advantage at the 8:05 mark to take a 4-3 lead. Tucker Hammock found an open James Shepherd in front of the goal to give Pfeiffer a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Hope put Pfeiffer up two at the 5:29 mark with his second score of the game, but the Storm answered 34 seconds later to cut the advantage to one.

Steven Tilmon’s unassisted strike with 2:03 to play secured the victory for Pfeiffer who improves to 3-0 at home this season.

For the game, Pfeiffer held a slight 31-30 lead in shots and a 30-24 advantage in ground balls. Khalid Stukes won 8-of-14 face-offs on the afternoon and was credited with four ground balls. Tilmon paced the Falcons with five ground balls on the day, while David Lehman forced three turnovers.

Johnston accounted for two goals for the Storm and goalie Nicholas Simonetti fell to 0-2 on the season as he allowed six goals and made 11 saves.

Pfeiffer returns to action on Saturday afternoon when they host Seton Hill at 1 p.m.